2013 UConn Ice Hockey Classic To Be Played At XL CenterUConn fans will get a preview of what is to come in 2014-15.

The XL Center will be the site of 2013 UConn Ice Hockey Classic.

Oct. 14, 2013

STORRS, Conn. -
The annual UConn Men's Ice Hockey Classic will be played at the XL Center in downtown Hartford for the first time in the history of the event. The games will be played on Sunday, Dec. 29 and Monday, Dec. 30 and the field features three teams from Connecticut.

The first round takes place on Dec. 29 with 2012 NCAA runner-up Quinnipiac taking on UMass-Amherst of the Hockey East Conference at 4:00 p.m. Host UConn then takes on in-state opponent Sacred Heart at 7:00 p.m. The two first round winners play in the championship game on Monday at 7:00 p.m. with the consolation game at 4:00 p.m.

Ticket information will be announced in the near future.

UConn, under first year head coach Mike Cavanaugh, will begin play in Hockey East in the 2014-15 season and will play its home schedule at the XL Center.

"This is a great opportunity for all Husky fans and all college hockey enthusiasts to attend one of the most exciting in-season tournaments in the country," says UConn Director of Athletics Warde Manuel. "We are thrilled to bring this tournament to downtown Hartford to give everyone a preview of what is coming in 2014-15."

"At the XL Center we value the opportunity to provide a home away from home for UConn athletics," said XL Center General Manager Chris Lawrence. "As UConn hockey takes the next step with their program, we are excited to be the host venue for their annual holiday classic. This tournament will feature elite college ice hockey and be a springboard for UConn as they dive into Hockey East next season."

The tournament has been in existence since the 1993-94 season and this will be just the second time in its history that it is not played in Storrs as the 1997 event was played in Norwich, Conn.

"Our players and coaching staff are really excited about playing the UConn Hockey Classic in Hartford," said Cavanaugh. "We have an outstanding field for the tournament and will be playing in an exceptional venue. I know how excited the downtown Hartford area can be on the nights of basketball games and I know that same type of energy will happen for ice hockey."

Cavanaugh and the Huskies open the 2013-14 season when its travels to Minnesota State for a two game series on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 18-19. Minnesota State is ranked No. 11 in the country in the preseason United States College Hockey Online poll.